Rare Half Rupee 1947 King George VI Tiger Type Calcutta Mint British India Coin # A196

Rare British India Half Rupee dated 1947, issued in the final year of British rule under King George VI. The obverse carries the crowned bust of the King with the legend “GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR”, while the reverse shows the well known walking tiger with “HALF RUPEE” above and “INDIA” with the date below, flanked by the value in Hindi and Urdu.

• Denomination: Half Rupee (8 Annas)
• Year: 1947, last year of the British India series
• Mint: Calcutta, no mint mark below the date
• Metal: Nickel, plain edge
• Diameter: about 25.5 mm as measured from the scan
• Condition: Very Fine, even circulation wear with the portrait and tiger design clear

The images show the actual coin the buyer will receive.

Step back in time to the twilight of the British Raj with this captivating 1947 Half Rupee coin, struck during the final year of British rule in India. Featuring the majestic walking tiger on the reverse and the crowned profile of King George VI on the obverse, this nickel coin represents a pivotal moment in global history. Struck at the historic Calcutta Mint with a plain edge, it carries bilingual inscriptions in Hindi and Urdu, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of undivided India.

Numismatists prize this piece not only for its iconic feline motif—often referred to by collectors as the “Tiger Type”—but also for its poignant historical timing just months before independence. Graded in Very Fine condition, it displays pleasing, even circulation wear that preserves the intricate details of the King’s crown and the tiger’s musculature. This authentic piece of British India numismatic heritage comes exactly as photographed, making it an essential acquisition for advanced world coin collectors, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a tangible artifact from the end of an empire.